Causes of Gallstones and How to Overcome Them

Have you ever felt sudden pain in the upper right abdomen, stabbing, even making it difficult to move? Many people often think it is just stomach ulcers or common digestive problems. In fact, this condition could be a sign of gallstones. Understanding the causes of gallstones and how to overcome them properly is very important, because this disease often goes unnoticed at first but can cause severe pain and dangerous complications if treated too late.

So, what makes gallstones form in the body, and what are the right steps to overcome them? Let’s take a closer look.

Causes of Gallstones

Gallstones form when there is an imbalance in the contents of bile. Here are some of the main causes:

High Cholesterol Levels in Bile
One of the most common triggers is bile that contains too much cholesterol. When bile fluid cannot dissolve it, the cholesterol will crystallize and form stones.

Gallbladder Function Disorders
If the gallbladder cannot empty bile fluid completely, the fluid will remain and settle. Over time, this buildup will harden into stones.

High Bilirubin Levels
Bilirubin is a waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells. Certain conditions, such as liver disease or bile duct infections, increase bilirubin levels and trigger the formation of gallstones.

Unhealthy Diet and Lifestyle
Consuming high-fat foods, low fiber, lack of exercise, and obesity are the biggest risk factors.

Other Risk Factors
Pregnancy, age over 40, family history, and the use of hormonal contraceptives also increase the chance of developing gallstones.

Symptoms of Gallstones

Not all sufferers feel symptoms, but when complaints appear, they usually include:

Severe pain in the upper right or middle abdomen, often after eating fatty foods.
Pain that radiates to the back or right shoulder.
Nausea, vomiting, or bloating.
Yellowing of the skin and eyes if stones block the bile duct.
Fever in cases accompanied by infection.

How to Overcome Gallstones Properly

Gallstones can be treated in several ways, depending on the severity:

Diet and Lifestyle Changes
Reducing high-fat foods, increasing fiber, maintaining an ideal body weight, and exercising regularly are the main steps that can help reduce risks and symptoms.

Medications
Doctors may prescribe gallstone-dissolving drugs such as ursodeoxycholic acid. However, this process takes a long time and is not always successful for all cases.

Medical Procedures

Cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder): the most effective and commonly performed solution if stones recur frequently or cause complications.
ESWL (shock wave therapy): breaks gallstones without surgery, although its use is limited.

Supporting Methods
Some people try natural remedies, such as apple juice or olive oil. Although popular, their effectiveness has not been medically proven, so it is best to consult a doctor.

Prevention of Gallstones

To prevent the formation of gallstones, you can take the following simple steps:

Maintain a healthy diet by increasing fruits, vegetables, and fiber.
Avoid the habit of skipping meals.
Limit saturated fatty foods.
Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes a day.
Maintain stable body weight without extreme dieting.

Conclusion

Gallstones often appear unnoticed, but they can cause painful symptoms and even complications if not treated. The causes of gallstones and how to overcome them properly are very important to understand, starting from maintaining a healthy lifestyle, taking medications according to doctor’s prescription, to medical procedures if needed. By recognizing the causes as well as the pre